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Bookmakers have slashed the odds on West Ham United's starlet Declan Rice joining Man City this January, after a flurry of transfer activity.

A number of bookies have cut odds decisively, from 20/1 on January 3rd to 5/2 as of January 23rd.

That makes City the clear favourites in the race to sign the young star, as money continues to pour in on the 20-year-old moving despite signing a new contract at the Hammers.

It’s now far less likely that Rice will stay at West Ham according to the bookies. At the start of the window, Rice was 1/18 to stay at the Hammers. That’s now been heavily lengthened to 1/3.

Man City are on the hunt for suitable back-up to Fernandinho who is an essential part of Pep Guardiola's midfield but is now 33 years old.

The Brazilian is no longer able to play every single game in a gruelling campaign with injuries much more likely but he remains pivotal to the side - his last spell on the sidelines coincided with City's Christmas blip when they suffered defeats to Crystal Palace and Leicester City.

After missing out on Jorginho in the summer to Chelsea, West Ham's Rice could potentially be the man to fill Fernandinho's boots.

The 20-year-old has been highly impressive this season under former City boss Manuel Pellegrini, providing important protection to the defence and bringing balance to an attack-heavy side.

He recently scored his first goal for the Hammers in their 1-0 win over Arsenal.